Passive and Pro-active, is there such a thing?

I just found some articles that I was going to share with you. Both articles speak about the Evangelical Christian Church — please consider carefully what the term evangelical really means — and the ‘passive messianics’ or as they are coming to be known, the Yeshuims.

Both are from Israel Today, which Carla from More Books and Things has put me on to. They are about the future of Israel, and they discuss who will be the ones standing with her during her times of need. The time is now wouldn’t you say?

It was interesting to read that there are some Rabbi’s who cannot differentiate between Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches and that of biblical Christianity. That will change. I pray for it to change, and I believe it will as scripture says there will be an outpouring of God’s spirit upon the House of David!

Another thing that interests me about the following article is that there are Evangelical Christian groups who lend a helping hand to Jews, yet are considered non-missionary. That sound like a paradox to me, an Evangelical non-missional Church, again consider the term evangelical. Is that even biblical? Should Christians as a collective group be non-missional according to scripture?

In future confrontations with Islam, it will be these Evangelical Christians who will stand beside Israel. And yet, the rabbis hate Evangelical Christians because of what Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches did to the Jews over the centuries.

Since World War II, a famous mantra of “Never Again” has been sounded by the Jewish people. However, they are completely blind to a new kind of Holocaust being foisted on the world by Islam. For the last 18 years, I have been working to create a Judeo-Christian understanding of this threat. By and large, the Christians get it. For the most part, the Jews don’t.

It is clear to me that Evangelical Christians who love and support Israel and who understand the predicament facing Jews today are not our best friends, they are our only friends. Organizations such as the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Bridges for Peace, Christian Friends of Israel, the International Christian Zionist Center among others have dedicated immeasurable time, money and effort to buttress the Jewish state. Yet, the recent ruling of certain senior rabbis that these groups are missionary organizations and the banning of cooperation with them flies in the face of common sense.

Indeed, this ruling is based on prejudice, ignorance and hatred of the Christians. I have worked with these organizations now for over 18 years, and can vouch for them not being missionary organizations.

But the rabbis don’t know and don’t care. Even Maimonides said it was permissible to study Torah with Christians because they revere the Torah, while it is forbidden to study Torah with Muslims because they seek to destroy and replace it with the Koran.

In future confrontations with Islam, it will be these Evangelical Christians who will stand beside Israel. And yet, the rabbis hate Evangelical Christians because of what Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches did to the Jews over the centuries. The rabbis know nothing of the differences within Christianity. This is tragic, and perhaps fatally wrong. By Avi Lipkin

Speaking of all things messianic and non-missional, there has been an important court ruling for the Messianic Jews who are sometimes called the Yeshuims. Though the Rabbi’s are prejudice and fail to see the differences between the Evangelical Church and the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox churches. The courts have ruled in favour of the more passive Israeli Messianic groups.

The decisions revealed the opinion of the Israeli government towards the Messianic Jewish community, and exposed the passive and non-political attitude of the Messianic community.

Two very important court decisions have recently been issued in Israel, in which several very positive results emerged regarding the depicted opinion of the Israeli government towards the Messianic Jewish community. Furthermore, these court decisions expose the passive and non-political attitude which is prominent in the Messianic community and which indicates that this community is a minority group that is entitled to receive the court’s protection.

In both these court decisions, the Israeli governmental institutions operated in favour of the Messianic community and in response, different fundamental religious groups lodged a petition against these standard governmental decisions.

Anti-missionary group Yad Le’achim (who is represented by advocate Yoram Sheftel) claimed that the ‘Grace and Truth’ congregation was planning to “establish a church which will be used for the purposes of prayer and missionary activity”. The court determined in it’s response that the permit was duly granted on the basis of the request made by Amutat ‘Grace and Truth’, and that the building would be used for office use and as a gathering facility. In the conclusion of the court decision, the court found it necessary to expose the real motive hiding behind the petition that was lodged against the building permit which had been given: “In closing this court ruling, I find it necessary to bring to mind the Declaration of Independence which was signed close to the establishment of the State of Israel, and which promises freedom of religion to all the different religious groups which exist in the State of Israel. The Jews, in particular, who have been persecuted because of their religion by others for hundreds of years, must portray their moral values in that they will reveal tolerance and patience towards other religious groups.”

Since an uninformed reader or judge might not understand that this precedent was made specifically towards the Messianic Jewish community, it is a pity that in both of these court decisions, which have determined an important legal precedent for religious minority groups in Israel, nothing was said regarding the fact that these religious minority groups consist of members of the Messianic Jewish Community and/or Jews who believe in Yeshua. These court decisions determine important precedents, and it is worthy to note that such precedents indicate that Israeli citizens who belong to the Messianic Jewish community are being persecuted against merely because of their religious beliefs and therefore are entitled to receive the court’s protection. It is also important that in this battle for legitimacy, the definitions used to describe the Messianic Community would be homogeneous and sympathetic towards the nature of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.

By Mike Decker

Like I said before there may be a change of heart towards Christianity as it becomes clearer that biblical Christians are a little more passive.

But passive to a point I would say.

Question, how passive should biblical Christianity be? So passive that it should withhold the salvation gospel to the Jew and to the Gentile? Passive enough not to be considered a missional church but looked at as being of a more social, humanitarian group? Is that being a little to politically correct; yet we are suppose to have religious freedom aren’t we? What does religious freedom really mean? At what point does one persons religious freedom tread on anothers idealogy and all over their right to exercies their own faith? It has to at some point. You cannot exercise true religious freedom while declaring politcal correctness to be the order of the day, can you?

Is the following commandment from Yeshua passive, politcally correct, pro-active or somewhere in between?

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

What about Pauls missionary stance?

Rom 1:16 for I am not ashamed of the good news of the Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to every one who is believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek.

I am passive, yet I am also pro-active when it comes to the gospel of salvation. I declare the following to be true, actually the bible declares the following to be true. I just happen to agree with it.

Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Joh 3:1417 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.

I bet the above passages from scripture stamps on the toes of any practicing Jew, Muslim, Hindu, New Ager, Wiccan, Buddist, Athiest and many others that I have failed to mention. How politically incorrect to say that Jesus is the only way. Paul was not ashamed to say it. Why should I be scared to say it in a so called tolerant society that espouses religious freedom for all. Does that include me?

Perhaps the bible should be voted as a Hate Book! Or at the very least, it should be rewritten to be more politically correct, then we wouldn’t have this problem. This offensive salvific cross that stands in the way of humanitarian unity. Silly me, that’s happening already!

I know what!!! Why don’t we get rid of the salvation gospel altogether — covertly it could be done — and let’s agree on the social side of it, everyone can do that no matter what religious persuasion they have. Oh, silly me, that’s happening already!

But I have hope, and my only hope is in the cross of salvation and in God’s Word and his promises that He has made regarding His people Israel. If God does not do what He has promised to do, then He is no God at all, His own Word holds Him accountable! Let His actions speak, watch history unfold and testify to His Word, be they true of false!

Why do I pray that Jews will see Christians in a different light? Because I believe that there will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days. That outpouring will rest upon the house of David. That outpouring will make the house of David look upon a son, an only son, one which was pierced and they will mourn for that son.

Zec 12:8-10 In that day Jehovah shall protect around those living in Jerusalem. And it will be, he who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of Jehovah before them. And it shall be in that day, I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour on the house of David, and on those living in Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of prayers. And they shall look on Me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they shall be bitter over Him, like the bitterness over the first-born.

Although Biblical Christians may be considered passive they are very pro-active in standing for the apple of God’s eye, they are pro-active in sharing the gospel to the Jew first and also to the Gentile. They know that to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem is within the will of God. But this outpouring is a bitter sweet phenomenon. It is after much world turmoil that will be centered around Jerusalem that will bring the house of David to their knees in supplication and repentence.

I know that true Peace can only come when the Prince of Peace, that being HaMashiach ben David coming a second time in the same way in which he left; that is when Isreal and her children can look forward to their sabbatical rest.

Act 1:9-12 And when He had said these things, as they were looking, He was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey off.

So when I say Marantha, it is truly bitter sweet. I look forward to the day when I meet my Lord, but I dread the days beforehand. I know what the bible says about the last days. I just have to remember that the bible says this about enduring till the end:

1Co 10:13 No temptation has taken you except what is human; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able. But with the temptation, He will also make the way out, so that you may be able to bear it.

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14 thoughts on “Passive and Pro-active, is there such a thing?”

Eeks. As far as I’m concerned, Christianity and Catholicism are two very different things. But I have also heard Avi Lipkin say that none of those differences matter to Islam. If they had their way, our fate would be the same.

As far as non-missionary Christian aid, etc., to Israel, I realize that the Christian mandate is to spread the gospel as you said, but God has also promised this:

“And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Genesis 12:3

Vee:
You said: How politically incorrect to say that Jesus is the only way.

I’ll be blunt; I’m a Jew, and I find that statement “offensive;” however, that is not to say that you shouldn’t say it. Who am I to pass judgement on your religious beliefs?

We are fortunate enough to each live in free countries, where we can worship as we please; and we are more fortunate that, if our positions were reversed, and you found yourself a Christian in Israel and I a Jew in Australia, we would still have that freedom.

By the way, I have you, your family and your homeland in my prayers especially as things are not looking so good right now for your land and people.

I personally know of a group here in Australia, who hold Israel up in their weekly prayers.

They are a pretty unconventional lot, mostly ones who have come out of the apostate Church and have a burden on their hearts for Israel.

I also volunteer for a ministry called Moriel and that ministry is dedicated to standing by Israel. The leader of this ministry is Yakov Prasch, his wife is Jewish, his children were born is Israel. His tongue is Hebrew. His son is presently serving in the IDF.

Thanks for the prayers; we (Israelis) really do appreciate it. It sometimes seems, from the news, that the whole world is against us, but it’s nice to know that there are people who in the world who actually like us.

And I don’t understand why that statement would offend you. It would seem to me to be, for a Christian, a simple statement of faith, just like the sh’ma prayer, or my quote from Maimonides, are simple statements of faith for Jews.

Interesting.
I was born Jewish, into a Jewish family, with all the trappings of Judaism growing up.
Fortunately, in addition to a way of life, I have also found it to be a deep and meaningful religious tradition, full of relevance for modern times.

That kind of background makes it rather hard for me to understand a conversion like you describe.

G’day all – I find this discussion really interesting. Firstly because at uni I have studied some Jewish history and secondly because I think its interesting how Judaism has changed through the Rabbis and that “Christianity” is really a sect of Judaism, a branch from a Jew who like Jews before him had a mission to tell the world about God.

Even before Jesus, there were Jewish missionaries. Examples are like Jonah, who went to gentiles to tell them to repent from their ways and turn to God. It shows that the Jews had a purpose in telling the world about God and that God also cared for the gentiles. It was a Jewish thing to prothelitize others and not until after Jesus and Rabbis who added greek philosophy and other ideas to Judaism, did this stop.

It is interesting that Maimonides said that he thought Jesus was sent by God to turn gentiles to the one true God of Israel. So he by doing this said “its ok for the gentiles but not for us!”

The Noahide rule was introduced so that Jews were released from inviting Gentiles into the Jewish fold by saying as long as they followed the things God told Noah they would be ok. I think it is sad that God told the Jews to be a light to the world but because of additional rules of men, they have become silent and self preserving rather than caring about the world.

Think about how incredible the message of Jesus was to the world during Roman times, that there is only one God and that all the pagan gods and practices are false. This is why so many were killed by the Romans. Like the Jews who would not allow pagan images in Jerusalem in the first and previous century, these Jews stood up and said there is only one way to salvation – that Jesus is the way !!

The first and second century followers of Jesus, who were mostly Jewish are people I think were incredibly brave. They were shunned by many of their own people, many of them were killed by religious leaders and then they faced the might of Rome by telling Romans and others about the love of God. During this period, during this time of risk and persecution, thousands came to know the God of Israel and the numbers kept growing.

True religion is not meant to be a self preserving huddle but to take risks, not in order to “get converts” but to tell others things they need to hear.

The basic Christian message is this. God loves mankind, and only God himself, could fix the problems that man created. He offers the way that man can again have a relationship with God. No man on their own merits can be the Messiah, we see this with many examples in the Tenach. Moses wasnt good enough to be the Messiah, he didnt even enter the promised land. David wasnt good enough, the prophets, etc etc. Only God himself could repair the damage and bridge the gap between God and man.

If Maimonides was right and Jesus the Jew became a light to the gentiles it is really a proof of his messiahship. The teachings of Jesus always point the way to God, and like Jeremiah 31:31-34 prophesied a “time is coming” when a new covenant would replace the old and it would be about the heart and relationship with God rather than simply following rules.

This message is offensive because it causes a dilemma but I do think its funny because it cant be blamed on non-Jews because it really is a Jewish dilemma. It was always a Jewish belief that there was one right way, there is one true God and that from the Jews would come the Messiah. Is this arrogant? Or is it only because it isnt professed, that it is “passive” – that it is acceptable. The Jewish message of Jesus is proactive and therefore offensive – it is chutspa – thats what it is 🙂

I think its interesting how Judaism has changed through the Rabbis and that “Christianity” is really a sect of Judaism, a branch from a Jew who like Jews before him had a mission to tell the world about God.

Christianity is a sect of Judaism. Paul, a Jew, tried to convince them from the Law of Moses concerning the Messiah-ship of Yeshua.

Act 28:22-29 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
“‘Go to this people, and say, You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ Isa 6:9,10 Psa 67:2
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” [And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much dispute among themselves.]

The question now arises “Who Are The Jews?” And are there different forms of Judaism? These being Mosaic Judaism (which has not been followed since 70 AD – it is impossible to do so because of the destruction of the temple).

The prophet Daniel said the Messiah would come and die before the second temple would be destroyed. Whoever the Messiah was, He had to come and die before the second temple was destroyed, according to Sanhedrin 96b — the Mishnah. In fact, people call Isaiah 53 the forbidden chapter. The Talmud actually says there’s a curse in reading Daniel 9. Why? The time of the Messiah’s coming is foretold in it. The Messiah had to come and die. Many Jewish people will ask, “If Jesus was the Messiah, why are there still wars?” They don’t understand. Daniel said when the Messiah comes and dies, wars are determined to the end with desolations. He brings worldwide peace at His second coming.

And Talmudic Judaism which came about in 90 AD.

Talmudic Judaism was founded by Rabbi Moshe Yochanan Ben ZaKai at the Council of Yavne in 90 AD. He was the classmate of St. Paul, from the school of Gamaliel. He was in the same group of rabbis that was trained by Gamaliel, the grandson of Rabbi Hillel, from the Pharisaic school of Hillel. It is a tale of two Rabbis. There were two classmates: Rabbi Saul of Tarsus and Rabbi Ben ZaKai. When the temple was destroyed in 70 AD Rabbi Yochanan Ben ZaKai was smuggled out of Jerusalem in a box, in a casket, and he convened a council where the Hebrew Canon was agreed upon — the Old Testament. He said, well instead of a temple, now we will have a synagogue; instead of a high priest, we will have a rabbi; and instead of the sacrifices we will have more Mitsvot — good works.
Every Jew will follow one of these two classmates, either Yochanan Ben ZaKai who had no assurance of salvation, or Rabbi Saul of Tarsus who had the assurance because Yeshua was his Messiah.
Talmudic Judaism is not the Judaism of Moses and the prophets. It is a hybrid — the same as nominal Christianity. It comes in various forms — Hassidic (Kabalistic believers in Jewish Mysticism), Orthodox, Conservative and then the Liberal Reformed who are basically humanists. The religion has more to do with culture and ethics than with real belief. That’s Talmudic Judaism. Then there is a third kind of Judaism, also valid. It is what Paul and the Apostles observed. It’s that Judaism which says Jesus it the Messiah who fulfilled the Torah — Messianic Judaism. However, within the Messianic movement today there is the good, the bad and the ugly.
There are two kinds of conversion. When a Buddhist gets saved, he stops being a Buddhist. When a Hindu gets saved, he stops being a Hindu. When a Jew gets saved, it’s a different word for conversion – it’s teshuva. He turns from sin toward God and his Jewish identity becomes complete. Only a Gentile can convert, a Jew completes. Jewish completion is teshuva.